Friday 31 August 2012

7 Steps to Student Success in Munich 2012

Having just moved to Munich, my friend Marcus and I (both Auslandsjahrstudenten) decided to create a check-list of things that you need to do once you arrive. We hope you find our tips both detailed and useful. Our step-by-step guide is ideal for anyone going to live, work or study in Munich (and indeed Germany) this year.

IMPORTANT - be sure to carry your passport with you at all times. If you fail to adhere to this and are stopped by a Police Officer (Polizeibeamter) then you are liable to be arrested.


1: At the airport

Follow signs to the S-Bahn. The logo is easy to recognise - it is a green circle with a white S in the centre. Before you take the escalator down to the platform, ensure that you have purchased a ticket from the ticket desk. The best value ticket you can buy is the Streifenkarte for 12€. Which should last for a few days.



2: Anmeldung (registration):

Within the first few days of arriving you must register your presence with the City authorities. In Munich this can be done at the Kreisverwaltungsreferat. The nearest Tube station is Poccistraße which can be found on the blue/red U6/U3 line. Take your passport with you. At the end of this process you will be given a Anmeldebestätigung. Congratulations you are now officially a citizen of Munich!



3: Bank account

Setting up a bank account in Germany is very easy. As long as you have a permanent address and Passport you will be able to open an account. We recommend Deutsche Bank as it gives you free cash withdrawals in over 30 countries. They also have a free student account (Das Junge Konto).



4: Mobile phone

Telekom (T-Mobile) and Vodafone are the two biggest phone companies, but look around for deals. To set up a monthly contract you need to have a bank account, but "Prepaid" (Pay as You Go) accounts can be set up in store in a matter of minutes.



5: Registration at LMU - Ludwig-Maximilians Universität Immatrikulationsbescheinigung
Take the U-Bahn to the conveniently named stop Universität on the U6/U3 line. When you exit at ground level you will see two fountains either side of Ludwigstraße. The main University building is the building with arches directly behind the fountain, on the opposite side to the Englischer Garten
Once in the building follow the corridor to your left. At the end of this corridor you will find the Studentenkanzlerei where you can go to ask questions and advice. However, as an Erasmus student your first stop is left before the Studentenkanzlerei, follow this corridor with lockers to the end where you will see a small library straigh ahead. Continue straight through into the next building where you will see many different rooms. Go up the stairs to your right and you should find a spiral staircase on the first floor. Proceed up this spiral staircase for the Erasmus office. Here they will give you all the advice you need regarding LMU.



6: Student Travel pass

The transport system in Munich is run by MVV (Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund) as opposed to Deutsche Bahn. To get a travel pass for the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, Metro etc with a student discount you will need to following:

  • If working, bring a copy of your Praktikumsvertrag (work contract) stamped by your University and employer
  • If studying just bring a copy of your Immatrikulationsbescheinigung (Student registration certificate)
  • Passport-style photo (35X45mm)
  • Ausweis (Passport)
  • Anmeldebestätigung (registration certificate: see 2)
  • Mietvertrag (copy of your rental agreement)


7: Lohnsteuerkarte (Income Tax card):
Two weeks after you have registered with the city you will receive a tax number. At which point you will be able to register and get a Lohnsteuerkarte (Income tax card). This is done at the Finanzamt (nearest station Hackerbrücke - S1-8) NOT at the Kreisverwaltungsreferat. 


If you are struggling with any aspects of your life in Munich the best advice is to visit your nearest Consulate. The British Consulate is located at Möhlstraße 5, 81675 München. The nearest U-Bahn stop is Prinzregentenplatz accessible from the green U4 line. They are very helpful and have answers to everything!

Good Luck and enjoy your stay in München!

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